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Fight against fraud

The fight against fraud and corruption is based on Article 325 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), requiring the Council and the European Parliament to adopt the necessary measures in the fight against fraud affecting the financial interests of the EU.

The European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF), created in 1999, is charged with fighting fraud affecting the EU budget, as well as corruption and misconduct within the EU institutions.

On the basis of Part Three, Title V, Chapters 4 and 5 of the TFEU, which deal with police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, Eurojust and Europol have the power to support EU countries in the fight against fraud and corruption.

In 2013, the Commission introduced a proposal to establish a European Public Prosecutor’s Office, under Article 86 TFEU, to investigate and prosecute crimes affecting the EU budget. Previously, in 2012, the Commission proposed a Directive to fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law. It will further clarify, harmonise and strengthen EU countries’ criminal law as regards offences related to the EU budget in order to improve protection of tax payers' money.